Jump to content

US M1906 4.7 inch Shell


Gildwiller1918

Recommended Posts

Here is a nice sized US artillery shell, the M1906 4.7 inch (120 mm). Although approved in 1906, units did not begin to get them until 1911, and this gun was one of the few available to US forces at the outbreak of war. Around 60 guns were available to US forces when war was declared, however most US forces utilized British and French artillery instead. However 64 guns did make it to France and 48 of them saw service with 2 US artillery regiments. Most of these guns were most likely used in the US for training as the priority was to send men and ammunition overseas. Over 900 guns were ordered however only about 200 were completed, with nearly a million shells made by the end of the war. After the war, some of these guns were used in coastal artillery emplacements such as the Panama Canal, with the remainder kept in reserve storage until 1932. 

The shell contained about 4 pounds of TNT with 711 steel shrapnel balls with a 31 second timed fuse. The range of the gun was between 6650 (60 pound shell ) and 8000 (45 pound shell) meters depending on the shell used. Not a very common shell to find, much less complete. It is quite heavy to move around as well. 

af34973883ef7a9a6a7aea911e7f0209.jpg

IMG_5061.JPG

IMG_5062.JPG

 

IMG_5066.JPG

IMG_5067.JPG

IMG_5072.JPG

IMG_5073.JPG

IMG_5074.JPG

IMG_5075.JPG

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The fuse cap looks very like the British made ones

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, the US supplied various shells and fuses to the British and French, the British used the QF 4.7 inch, as the US used the British guns as well. 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 months later...

I serve on a committee that is overseeing the construction of a new veterans memorial in my hometown of Taylorville, IL.  We have an M1906 that is being restored right now and we would love to have a 4.7” shell to display with it!  I have been looking everywhere for one.  Is this one for sale?  If not do you know where we can find one?  Thanks.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I do not know of any other sources for these shells at present. WW1 and WW2 ordnance seems to be drying up now. I do not plan on selling mine, but these shells when complete can be quite expensive.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

That’s too bad.  In that case I’d like to try to have a wooden replica made on a lathe but I can’t find the dimensions online.  Would it be asking too much to have you take the following measurements and post them here?  It would really help us make something for our Veterans Memorial.  Thanks so much if you can!

Diameters:

Rim

Case rear

Case mouth

Projectile rear

Projectile taper begin

Projectile tip

 

Lengths:

Overall

Rim

Case not including rim

Projectile rear to taper begin

Projectile taper begin to tip

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sure, I will work on getting the measurements for you. Have you considered 3D printing as well? Might be a possibility worth looking into. 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Diameters:

Rim: 5 1/4"

Case rear: 15 3/4" using OD measuring tape

Case mouth: 15 1/4" OD

Projectile rear: 14 3/4" OD

Projectile taper begin: 

Projectile tip: 

 

Lengths:

Overall: 32" roughly, as my fuse adaptor does not sit correctly in the shell. 

Rim: 1/8"

Case not including rim: 16 5/8"

Projectile rear to taper begin: length is from where the rotating band sits against the case.  9 1/2"

Projectile taper begin to tip: 5 3/4" 

Fuse: 2 1/2"

Rotating band: 1" wide

If you need any photos please let me know.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Thank you for taking the measurements.  We should be able to use this information to make a sort of dummy round since the real thing is so rare.  It will be a nice addition to our veterans memorial.  Thanks again!

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not a problem, I do know another collector who has one and makes good 3D printed replicas of other ordnance. I could ask about getting one made if interested. 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...